Win Away to DC Review
Date: Friday April 18, 2025
Result: DC 0-1 Tampa Bay
Records: Tampa Bay Sun (36 pts 9W-9D-5L); DC Power FC (16 pts 3W-7D-12L)
Standings: The Sun moved to 3rd in the table.
It took nearly 90 minutes of play, but the Sun pulled out a W against DC. In front of a typical-if-disappointing crowd, Tampa Bay were able to mostly limit the home side’s attacking chances. Finally getting the breakthrough right before stoppage time, they have, at least briefly, put themselves in the playoff positions. This fantastic run of form is a perfect example of peaking at the right time!
Don’t make us wait like that again, please!
For a game that started around 7:30, it was only put to bed when this columnist would normally be trying to fall asleep! Bedtimes aside, it was worth it for those fans who stayed up to watch until the end. Coming on at halftime for midfielder Jade Moore, Cecilie Floe found herself in just enough space to squeeze the ball past the DC keeper. Many nerves were relieved
Before that play, the home side had done well defensively. The Power held Tampa Bay to mostly low percentage chances until roughly the 75th minute. Indeed, in the first half, it was DC who created better opportunities. A quick throw-in led to a brief scramble in the six yard box when keeper Ashley Orkus pushed the ball onto her own defender’s thigh. The rebound luckily went wide.
The second half did start a little brighter for the Sun, though. Jordyn Listro and Carlee Giammona were the two more central midfielders; although, Tash Flint’s ability to contribute in all parts of the pitch was on display again. She has become the all-action player lately, even popping up in a defensive role when she shielded the ball out for a goal kick at one point.
Further energy was needed to secure the victory as the match wore on. In the 74th minute, manager Denise Schilte-Brown added Jordan Zade and Hannah Keane. She then added Ava Tankersley even later to really add some oomph. The extra pressing when out of possession paid off. In fact it was Keane who won the ball back in the buildup to Floe’s late winner.
After working it around the back from Paige Almendariz to Brooke Hendrix, captain Listro needed an outlet and saw her countrywoman Viv Bessette in space. As that space was quickly closing, she played almost a hit-it-and-hope ball over the top of DC’s defense. After a few missed chances in quick succession, all Sun fans were hoping for the best as well.
Naturally, that was all Cecilie Floe needed. She brought it down off the chest and found just enough room at the near post to score. It wasn’t the prettiest game. It wasn’t the best to watch even. But, practically nothing beats that feeling – the feeling of a goal with so little time left that the opposition has no chance to equalize. Not quite the last kick of the game, but close.
The three points earned are the real headline from this match. It puts the Sun level one point behind second place Dallas Trinity, two ahead of Fort Lauderdale and Brooklyn, and into third overall in the league. The team has a +9 goal differential as well, giving them further advantage over FLOOTD and the New Yorkers. With results going Tampa Bay’s way elsewhere in the league, it was a banner weekend – and the timing is key with only five regular season matches left!
Player of the Game:
Liz: Cecilie Floe
Tom: Jordyn Listro
RBLR Score Predictions Standings:
Lizzie: 20
Tom: 12
Yurika: 14
James: 10
